Shanghai: Ahead of the hotly anticipated all-Chinese AFC Champions League quarter-final between Shanghai SIPG and two-time continental champions Guangzhou Evergrande, we take a closer look at two of the men looking to fire their sides into the last four: Brazilians Hulk and Ricardo Goulart.
Overview
Hulk
After making his debut in the 5-0 humbling at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in last year’s quarter-finals, Hulk has returned to the competition in scintillating fashion this time round. The powerful frontman boasts an incredible record of having scored in every game he’s played, with six goals putting him joint second in the scoring charts.
Goulart
Ricardo Goulart joined Guangzhou in January 2015 and immediately started to repay his new employers, scoring the only goal of the game on his AFC Champions League debut against FC Seoul a month later. He bagged five more in his next two games and a further two in the knockout rounds as Guangzhou won a second title and Goulart picked up the Most Valuable Player and Top Scorers awards.
The current campaign
Hulk
Hulk enjoyed a happier return to Korea Republic in the opening game of the 2017 AFC Champions League when, in typical fashion, he fired in the only goal of the game from more than 20 yards out against FC Seoul. It was the start of a run that could see the former Porto and Zenit Saint Petersburg man compile his own Goal of the Tournament list.
A towering header in a rout against Western Sydney Wanderers was followed by the decisive strike in a 3-2 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds, before a piledriver in a 4-2 win against FC Seoul helped confirm Shanghai’s Round of 16 qualification. Jiangsu were next to be swept aside – 5-3 on aggregate – as the Brazilian added two more goals to his tally en route to the last eight.
Goulart
On the back of a disappointing 2016 continental campaign in which Guangzhou exited at the first hurdle, Goulart got the ground running from the spot this time around in a 7-0 win over debutants Eastern SC. A stunning volley in a 2-2 draw with Suwon Samsung Bluewings on Matchday Two would then ultimately prove crucial.
And, after going on a run of three games without a goal, Goulart’s brace in another 2-2 draw with Suwon ensured Guangzhou advanced to the Round of 16 by the narrowest of margins – a point ahead of the K-League Classic outfit – to remain on course for a third title in five years.
Importance to the team
Hulk
Hulk's statistics are startling. Shanghai have posted six victories in the six games the forward has played; they have lost the two he hasn’t. Half of his goals have been match-winners and, when factoring in that he also has five assists to his name, it is clear Guangzhou have a world-class operator to concern themselves with.
Goulart
Without Goulart’s goals Guangzhou, quite simply, would not be in the quarter-finals, while an assist in the 1-1 draw with eventual Group G winners Kawasaki Frontale was equally important. Despite being the highest scorer in the victorious 2015 campaign, though, Goulart failed to register a goal after the last 16 – something the forward will want to rectify against Shanghai.
The last time they met
The Brazilian duo have never faced off on the Continent, but have been involved in a pair of thrilling head-to-heads in the Chinese Super League this season. When second-placed Shanghai hosted the league leaders in July, neither got on the scoresheet in a 2-2 draw.
Back in April, however, Hulk made it 2-2 at Guangzhou’s Tianhe Stadium, only for Goulart’s penalty 10 minutes from time to wrap up all three points for Scolari’s six-time league winners. On Tuesday, the battle between China's dominant force and their nearest challengers resumes and is likely to reach fever pitch.
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com